Throughout the Victorian period the British soldier was called upon to defend the interests of Queen and country. Whether it was in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan, the scorching plains of India, the deserts of Egypt and the Sudan, or the South African veldt, he had to cope with extremes of temperature, rough terrain and the ever present risk of illness and disease. All this often had to be endured on an empty stomach and with clothing and equipment unsuited to such conditions. Soldiers of the Queen tells the story of Victoria's Colonial Campaigns through the letters and diaries of those who served. As such it is the closest one can get to an 'oral history' of this fascinating period of British military history. It examines the soldiers' experiences from when they left their barracks to go on campaign, the journey at sea aboard transport ships and all aspects of colonial service, including conflict itself. In the words of the soldiers themselves it relates what the troops really thought of their lot, the conditions they faced and their views of the enemies they fought. It tells of incredible feats of bravery and fortitude, and also the many tragedies that befell these men, who fought to maintain the largest empire the world has ever seen.